Patrick sets special election date

From NBC's Domenico MontanaroMassachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick set a date of Jan. 19th for the special election to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

He also urged that the state legislature change the law to allow the governor to create a temporary appointee until that special election.

Also, Patrick said he had spoken with Vicki Kennedy, Ted Kennedy's widow, and that she is not interested in being her husband's replacement.

And mark your calendars, On Sept. 9th, a joint Massachusetts legislative committee will consider the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's request that the state change its law and appoint a senator before a potential special election to replace him.

The Boston Globe: "The House and Senate chairmen of the Joint Committee on Election Laws announced today they have moved the hearing date from early October to Sept. 9. The House and Senate, which are in summer recess, do not return in full formal session until next week. The bill could come to the floor of both the House and Senate within days after the hearing."